Downtown bar makes its last call

Published: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:07 p.m.

The City Club, a downtown Houma bar that over the years attracted both big name bands and complaints about noise and violence, has shut its doors.

But its owner says he plans to open a similar venue at a new location.

Mike Fesi II, 31, the club’s owner, said he’s already purchased the old Shriner’s building at the Houma Airbase, at 200 Moffet Road, where he plans to host concerts and parties. He’s calling it the “LA Energy Event Center.”

At about 8,000 square feet, it’s about the same size as the City Club, but with more floor space and parking, Fesi said.

“The different venue is going to offer everything the City Club offered,” he said, “but with more space and less political headache.”

Fesi expects to open the event center by mid-summer.

Since Fesi revamped City Club in 2008, it gained a reputation for booking some big-name musical acts who included rappers Master P and Mystikal and rockers Queensryche and Filter.

But the club, 7861 Main St., also sparked complaints.

In January, the state Alcohol and Tobacco Control held a public meeting in Houma where Fesi was given a temporary reprieve from a threatened closure depending on how cooperative he was in addressing residents’ concerns.

Residents complained about cars racing around recklessly late at night, the club’s loud music and patrons littering.

Police said they had to respond to multiple fights and reports of disorderly conduct at the bar as it closed at 2 a.m. Among them was a shooting outside the club Dec. 23 that started inside and left four people injured, police said.

Since the state alcohol board meeting, complaints and disruptions at the club have mostly ceased, parish officials and police said.

Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis said Fesi and his staff have been cooperative.

“We’ve met with Mr. Fesi on several occasions,” Duplantis said. “We’ve been working together closely and we’ve had a reduction with the issues over there.”

Duplantis said his department plans to work with Fesi when he opens his new club and hopes to continue having a cooperative relationship.

Councilwoman Arlanda Williams said she hasn’t had to deal with any late-night calls made to her with complaints stemming from the club lately.

“Fesi has been very cooperative,” she said.

Fesi said he plans to work with local officials and law enforcement when his hall opens but will be glad to be in a more secluded location to help avoid those types of issues.

The City Club building, built in the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project, is a former post office sitting in the heart of Houma’s historic district, just across from the Terrebonne Parish Courthouse. It will go up for sale next week, Fesi said.

<p>The City Club, a downtown Houma bar that over the years attracted both big name bands and complaints about noise and violence, has shut its doors.</p><p>But its owner says he plans to open a similar venue at a new location.</p><p>Mike Fesi II, 31, the club's owner, said he's already purchased the old Shriner's building at the Houma Airbase, at 200 Moffet Road, where he plans to host concerts and parties. He's calling it the “LA Energy Event Center.”</p><p>At about 8,000 square feet, it's about the same size as the City Club, but with more floor space and parking, Fesi said.</p><p>“The different venue is going to offer everything the City Club offered,” he said, “but with more space and less political headache.”</p><p>Fesi expects to open the event center by mid-summer.</p><p>Since Fesi revamped City Club in 2008, it gained a reputation for booking some big-name musical acts who included rappers Master P and Mystikal and rockers Queensryche and Filter.</p><p>But the club, 7861 Main St., also sparked complaints.</p><p>In January, the state Alcohol and Tobacco Control held a public meeting in Houma where Fesi was given a temporary reprieve from a threatened closure depending on how cooperative he was in addressing residents' concerns.</p><p>Residents complained about cars racing around recklessly late at night, the club's loud music and patrons littering.</p><p>Police said they had to respond to multiple fights and reports of disorderly conduct at the bar as it closed at 2 a.m. Among them was a shooting outside the club Dec. 23 that started inside and left four people injured, police said. </p><p>Since the state alcohol board meeting, complaints and disruptions at the club have mostly ceased, parish officials and police said.</p><p>Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis said Fesi and his staff have been cooperative.</p><p>“We've met with Mr. Fesi on several occasions,” Duplantis said. “We've been working together closely and we've had a reduction with the issues over there.”</p><p>Duplantis said his department plans to work with Fesi when he opens his new club and hopes to continue having a cooperative relationship.</p><p>Councilwoman Arlanda Williams said she hasn't had to deal with any late-night calls made to her with complaints stemming from the club lately.</p><p>“Fesi has been very cooperative,” she said.</p><p>Fesi said he plans to work with local officials and law enforcement when his hall opens but will be glad to be in a more secluded location to help avoid those types of issues.</p><p>The City Club building, built in the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project, is a former post office sitting in the heart of Houma's historic district, just across from the Terrebonne Parish Courthouse. It will go up for sale next week, Fesi said.</p>